Title: Causes
of Fatigue in Sport
Key words:
Fatigue, high-intensity sport, football, nutrients, anaemia, fluids, overtraining,
altitude, social pressures
Date: 28/7/00
Category: 12.
Sports
Type: Article
Author: Dr
M Draper
Causes of
Fatigue in Sport
Possible
Causes
The possible
causes of fatigue in high intensity intermittent sport, such as football, include:
(1) Excessive
training schedule and longer playing season
- prolonged
training sessions ( new or different routines )
- frequent
match fixtures ( playing for more than one club )
- inadequate
rest / recovery periods
(2) Poor diet
(low carbohydate) due to one or more of:
- poor understanding
of sport nutrition ( pre- and post-CHO loading)
- failure
to recognise individual nutritional requirements
- an apparent
conflict of nutritional goals eg. trying to meet increase need for nutrients
while limiting energy intake to try to lose weight, especially during preseason
training.
- lack of
practical skills and nutrition knowledge (away from home)
- inadequate
time to obtain or consume appropriate foods.
- the challenge
of frequent travel and circadian rhythm changes with international/European
leagues assuming higher priority.
- inadequate
finances (unlikely with today's pay structure!) and more frequently due to
late nights (excess alcohol and/or drugs) and social/media pressures
(3) Fluid balance
- Poor fluid
intake (water/liquid carbohydrate) before, during or after exercise
- Adverse
effects of climate or altitude(4) Physical illness, which may include:
- glandular
fever and post viral syndromes
- overtraining
fatigue syndromes
- anaemia
e.g. iron deficiency, especially in vegetarians and women or sickle cell traits
or disease in Afro-Caribbeans.
(5) Psychological
illnesses, which may include:
- reactive
depression (failure to achieve desired place in the team )
- early stages
of a more serious psychiatric disorders (e.g. manic-depressive or bipolar
illnesses).
(6) Family
or social pressures adding to the above
- young family
(interrupted sleep pattern)
- relationship
problems (girlfriend, wife or parents).